Welcome to Tauck's La Belle Vie: The Rhône, Geneva & the Riviera Forum

Welcome to Tauck's La Belle Vie: The Rhône, Geneva & the Riviera Forum - Find the answers to your trip questions, answer questions posted by fellow travelers, plus share your Tauck experiences and stories. Stop by often and join in on the discussions.

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  • I can’t find this trip…it’s so new it’s not listed?

  • edited March 2023

    Hi Nancy,

    It is indeed a new trip that will hopefully be listed today.

    Thanks,
    Emily

  • I like that this tour is a fortnight. The itinerary from Lyon to Arles seems to mirror that of Savoring France, but I wouldn't mind returning to Provence at all. The region north of Lyon seems intriguing. I could do without Monoco, but I'm sure the hotel there would be nice, but perhaps a bit too ostentatious for my taste. I love ending in Geneva, however.

  • This tour looks really interesting but I'm like you, kfnknfzk, I'm not a fan of Monaco (nor of Cannes) but the thing is that there are so many places to explore and trains or uber are easy to do on the Riviera. You might consider skipping Monaco and do something else. Nice is deserving of more than a few hours but think of going to villages like Menton and so many other places. Lots of great museums on the Riviera and the Rothschild's home and gardens are lovely.

    The areas between Lyon and Beaune look intriguing. We've spent three days in Lyon - so much to do there. at least they will be docked for the night in Lyon although that blurs a bit when the farewell dinner and entertainment are then.

    This trip is on my list of possible tours next year. I wish there were fewer summer slots and some in May and September.

  • Thanks for the suggestions, the moores. I took a closer look at the itinerary and see that I can avoid Monaco altogether by selecting the other excursion. Like you we love Lyon; just wish more time was offered there. Overall, it looks like a great tour. Perhaps in 2025 they will offer more spring and fall departures.

  • We were on the waitlist back in August and fortunately were notified in October we were on this trip. Very excited. Anyone else going?

  • edited July 2024

    We are on La Belle Vie Aug 29, 2024 from Cannes to Geneva. Received our final documents today. It sounds great.

  • Booked into La Belle Vie Oct. 2025 and hoping to learn more about the excursion that are being offered for those currently doing the 2024 season.
    Tauck web site Details are vague. Looking for more.

  • Going August 29. Looks great!

  • My husband and I are going on LaBelle Vie Aug 29. Looking forward to the trip. Long trip for us from Maui but always nice to get off the island. Can someone tell me do you lock your suitcases with TSA locks for European trips.

  • I use TSA locks on International trips and have never had one cut off. I assume they can open TSA locks, if necessary.

  • edited August 2024

    We haven’t used TSA locks for years, they kept disappearing from our luggage when it got to us. Instead, we use zip ties and carry a tiny pair of scissors we leave in the outside pocket of the suitcase…of course, this only works with suitcases that have outside pockets but we dislike the hard sided clamshell opening sort of case, though they are very populous these days. We just find they take up too much room when opened and are generally heavier than the suitcases we use. Priority for us is to start with a suitcase which weighs little. We have traveled all over the world with this method.. Of course the river cruises means your suitcase is moved around out of your control much less than on the land tours.
    The zip ties deter the casual thief and it’s easy to tell if anyone has opened your suitcase as the only way to get them off is to cut them off so they can’t be put back on, we carry a bag of them with us.
    We also recommend the use of an AirTag inside your suitcase.

  • We have reserved La Belle Vie for late 2026. Looking forward to brand new ship! Far far too soon to think about flights but surprised to see that where Tauck requests our flight info for the trip, they ask about arrival into MRS airport (Marseille) which is a two hour drive from the Hotel Martinez where the trip starts instead of Nice airport which is 30 minutes away. Could there be a reason for that?

  • Probably the flights that are usually available for the US. In addition, when they suggest flights, they make sure they match the start time of the tour as many people arrive on the day and not beforehand.

  • Not correct. Flights from U.S. Nonstop go to Nice. Marseille has only a few connections.

  • edgee - The itinerary does state transfer is provided from the Nice airport to the hotel. It looks like they need to update/correct the flight information section.

  • Ok, thanks!

  • edited January 16

    The new itinerary for the 2026 version of the trip starts in Marseille rather than in Nice. We are booked for April 2026. The map is wrong, but the tour day-by-day info should be updated on the website.

  • It seems the start city depends on the year of travel. Either that or Tauck is in the process of doing some updates. Sorry, edgee, if I gave you misinformation. The best thing to do is to confirm with Tauck directly. Warm regards.

  • We just received our excursion choices for our upcoming trip and would love input on two of our Geneva tour options. Has anyone done the Chamonix train to Mer de Glace or the Chamonix cable car to Midi? Which would you select?

  • The cable car offers breathtaking views; I imagine so does the train. I don't think you can go wrong with either choice. Enjoy.

  • Looks like my original question regarding Marseille instead of Nice as an arrival airport portended a change in itinerary for first part of the trip. Due to elimination of Monaco and Cannes for 2026 we are using the window following announcement of pricing to cancel and get full refund of deposit and insurance. One day in Marseille as a substitute does not work for us.

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